JUNEAU — The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has approved temporary royalty relief for five North Slope leases that it said could not economically be developed otherwise.

The reduced royalty rate would apply to five leases held by Caelus Natural Resources Alaska LLC that otherwise have rates of 12.5 percent and roughly 16.7 percent. The reduced rate of 5 percent comes with conditions. For example, Caelus will have to decide whether to move forward with the project by March 31.

JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature convened Tuesday for a session expected to focus heavily on the state’s budget deficit, a shortfall that has been made worse by falling oil prices.

The mood on the opening day was lighthearted and marked by ceremony with members elected last year sworn in by Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott. But the task at hand over the scheduled 90-day session — chipping away at a budget hole projected to be at least $3.5 billion this year and next — loomed large.

JUNEAU — The Canadian government has signed an order that would block the state of Alaska from updating a ferry terminal unless the two sides resolve an ongoing dispute over the use of U.S. steel in the project.

The project is on Canadian soil leased by the state in British Columbia. The port at Prince Rupert is part of the Alaska Marine Highway System.

JUNEAU — The Senate Finance Committee is considering hiring two former state commissioners to help lawmakers review state spending and address massive budget deficits.

The committee’s co-chairs have proposed contracts with former Revenue Commissioner Angela Rodell and former Health Commissioner Bill Streur. The committee is expected to consider the proposals later this week.

JUNEAU — Nothing will be off the table as the state cuts spending to reduce projected multibillion-dollar budget deficits, Gov. Bill Walker said.

In an interview Monday, on the eve of the new legislative session, Walker said he wants to look at the budget over several years. He said he has in mind a target for cuts over the next three years but isn’t ready to disclose it.

Even taking a longer view, he said he doesn’t expect state leaders to just dabble around the edges of the fiscal situation this session.

Plunging prices have contributed to massive budget deficits that cuts alone can’t erase. Alaska has billions of dollars in its constitutional budget reserve, but oil prices and spending will dictate how long that cushion lasts.

JUNEAU — House Speaker Mike Chenault on Friday questioned the nominating process for Fish and Game commissioner and the treatment of finalist Roland Maw by the Board of Fisheries.

The boards of fisheries and game met Wednesday to send a list of commissioner candidates to Gov. Bill Walker. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported the Board of Game voted to give Maw an interview but the Board of Fisheries voted unanimously to not interview him. His application died.

Ultimately, the only name advanced was that of acting commissioner Sam Cotten.

JUNEAU — A Homer legislator has proposed delaying regulations for marijuana concentrates to allow officials to focus this year on rules for the sale and growth of legalized pot and licensing of marijuana businesses.

But Timothy Hinterberger, the chairman of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol in Alaska, said the bill would “defy the will of the voters” and open the state to litigation, “which it would surely lose.”

JUNEAU — The incoming president of the Alaska Senate said Tuesday that he has decided against hiring a former state military affairs official to help the Senate majority press office this session.

Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, last week told colleagues by email that he had decided to hire McHugh Pierre on contract to work in the majority press shop. Details, however, had yet to be worked out, and Meyer said a contract was never signed.

JUNEAU — The state is expected to pay about $100 million more in tax credits to oil and gas producers than it receives in production taxes this year amid low oil prices, Gov. Bill Walker said.

In an opinion piece published in Alaska newspapers Thursday, Walker said he supports the philosophy behind tax incentives, but “giving away” more in tax breaks than the state collects is irresponsible and unsustainable.